CTOs are better tuned-in than most to the ebbs and flows of tech trends. You can’t find a tech blog out there these days that doesn’t discuss the blockchain, the rise of AI, devops, and perennial importance of user-centric design.

But for now, forget about all that. Instead of rehashing these topics we’d like to discuss a few of the more overlooked tech trends that CTOs should be aware of. Not to say that the above issues aren’t important, but they’re by no means the only topics that tech professionals need to stay up on.

1. Moving to Agile IT Workflows

IT has come a long way over the past few years, but it’s still surprisingly sluggish. Companies look for top-down solutions that focus on the big picture (and offer the biggest opportunities for broad optimization) while neglecting all-important agility.

IT agility means working on a smaller scale that promotes flexibility, adaptation, and regular feedback from smaller teams. It’s a complex process that’s becoming easier through technologies like the cloud that give CTOs simple ways to connect siloed processes, but most companies are still woefully unprepared to put these ideas into action. CTOs need to look at their IT workflows and think about how each can be segmented and assessed on a more granular level.

2. The Internet of Things (IoT)

IoT is pretty mainstream these days, but not enough CTOs are looking ahead to its true application as an all-encompassing business force. Truly, the IoT is everywhere:

Consumer applications such as those found in Google Smart Home technologies

Retail applications such as connecting digital signage for integrated advertising

Logistics applications such as RFID tagging of inventory for international supply chain optimization

All CTOs should examine these use cases and see what they can do to prepare their organizations for the inevitable IoT push.

3. Extended Applications of VR and AR

Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) have been making waves in the consumer market for a while now. Oculus. Google VR. HTC. We’re well acquainted with these toys, but fewer professionals are aware of the impacts this tech is having in industries like education and healthcare.

We don’t have space to go into the applications here, but check out this rundown from Medical Futurist—some amazing things ranging from physical stroke recovery to psychological therapy are happening in the medical AR world.

4. Predictive Data Analytics

Predictive analytics are hot right now. Every business tracks business metrics, but traditional metrics are reactive rather than proactive. Predictive analytics lets CTOs see into the future and make data-backed business decisions at the moment of maximum leverage.

We’re already seeing this in the way that companies like Amazon are using algorithms to optimize customer preferences, identify the most profitable ordering periods, and understand when to produce marketing efforts to generate maximum profit. As time goes on and more providers begin offering these services, we expect these predictive strategies will become the norm rather than a point of competitive advantage.

5. eCommerce

eCommerce is an older concept than some others on this list, but its development has remained remarkably strong over the years. Companies are coming up with more ways than ever to optimize their eCommerce processes, including better security features for secure transactions, and mobile-focused platform-agnostic experiences.

It’s a broad vertical to follow, but CTOs in eCommerce will be well aware of how significant these changes are to our existing digital ecosystem.

CTOs Need to Stay On Top of Their Game

As the chief representative of all things technology, CTOs bear the burden of staying on top of these fast-moving trends. We’re only scratching the surface here, and there’s always more to learn. If you’re in a technology role in your organization, stay tuned to Urgenci to keep yourself informed about the biggest tech trends shaping the industry.